Biology

Physiology

Delibird is a red penguin-like Pokémon with a sack-like tail in which it stores presents, among other things. It has a patch of fluffy feathers on its chest that resembles a beard, and snowflake-like crests on its head. It also has a white bellybutton-like mark on its stomach. It has a white face with black rings around its eyes. Its beak and feet are light yellow.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Delibird's most famous power is that it attacks by giving presents to its opponents. These presents, glowing orbs pulled from inside its tail, often explode, damaging the enemy. However, this move is unpredictable, even for the Delibird. The effect of the present could harm an opponent, or could even help it.

Delibird is the only known Pokémon that learns Present by leveling up, and that is the only move it learns that way. It can learn other, more traditional Ice- and Flying-type moves by more indirect means.

Behavior

Delibird carries food bundled up in its tail, carrying it wherever it may go. It spends all day carrying food to its awaiting chicks.

Delibird are often delivering items to either Pokémon or people. The deliveries are often from humans, but may be from Pokémon.

Minor appearances

Pokédex entries

Delibird, the Delivery Pokémon. Delibird’s most unique attack is giving presents, however, some of these presents have been known to explode. Sometimes, Delibird’s presents can actually restore energy to its opponents.

This concludes the entries from the original series.

In the manga

Delibird in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Delibird appears as one of the Pokémon used by Pryce. It is the most common Pokémon that have been used by Pryce. It appears to be the same Pokémon used by him in his alias, and was strong enough that it allowed him to capture Ho-Oh. However, Gold was able to knock it out with Polibo's Perish Song attack.

In the TCG

Game data

NPC appearances

Pokémon Stadium 2: Delibird stars in its own mini-game called "Delibird's Delivery." In this game, players collect presents from one side of the field to the other. The player must avoid Swinub that scurry around or they will trip the Delibird and cause the player to lose the present they were carrying.

Origin

Aspects of Delibird's appearance appear to come from the Rockhopper Penguin. However, its red and white color scheme, its ability to give presents, and the appearance of carrying its sack-like tail may have been derived from Santa Claus and the white stork. Delibird may have also been inspired by puffins, which are penguin-like birds that still have the ability to fly.

Name origin

Delibird is a combination of delivery and bird. Deli may have derived from the Adelie Penguin. Pronouncing Delibird with the same inflection as delivered yields a very similar sound, with the "b" and "v" being the only variation between the two words.